Watershed Management Plan Buli Chiwog, Nangkor Gewog, Zhemgang Dzongkhag (July 2018 - June 2023)
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WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN BULI CHIWOG, NANGKOR GEWOG, ZHEMGANG DZONGKHAG (JULY 2018 - JUNE 2023) WATERSHED MANAGEMENT DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS AND PARK SERVICES MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTS & ROYAL SOCIETY FOR PROTECTION OF NATURE Buli Watershed Management Plan Nangkor Gewog, Zhemgang District July 2018 2 | P a g e FOREWORD A healthy watershed is the lifeline for the mountain people and those living downstream in Bhutan. Water is often regarded as the engine of country’s economic growth primarily to boost agriculture production and hydropower generation. Bhutan has strong policies, acts, and regulatory frameworks that seeks to safeguard water resources which contribute to maintaining a healthy river system that is pollution-free and accrues the benefit that transcends across the border. Under the wise and far-sighted leadership of our monarchs, environmental conservation in Bhutan is widely regarded as the bastion for conservation in the twenty-first century. Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world where the Constitution mandates 60 percent forest cover for all times. Bhutan is endowed with abundant water resources in the form of glaciers, snow, lakes, streams, and rivers. The per capita availability of water per annum is more than 100,000m³(Vision, 2008). Bhutan has one of the highest per capita water resource availability in the world with 94,500 m³/capita/annum (NEC, 2016). Sustainable management of an abundant resource that country has today is the shared responsibility of every individual in the country. The Government of Bhutan (RGoB) is enhancing its efforts to protect this scarce natural resource, which if not managed properly can have devastating repercussion for future generations. Increasingly, there are non- governmental organizations (NGO) that are playing proactive roles in environmental conservation and the government applauds and recognizes the important role they play in society. In 1987, the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) was established as a citizen- based NGO dedicated to the conservation of Bhutan’s rich natural environment. Since then, the RSPN has evolved as a complementary partner to the Royal Government of Bhutan in the preservation of Bhutan’s rich natural heritage. The RSPN has been a pioneer in conserving one of the largest alpine-wetlands and the Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) in Gangtey and Phobjikha in Wangduephodrang district. The wetland has successfully transitioned into a RAMSAR site with a global conservation status. Considering the successes and the significant role it plays in environmental conservation, it is timely for RSPN to replicate its successful programs across the country and continue to complement the efforts of the RGoB in its conservation efforts. On this note, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to RSPN and Watershed Management Division (WMD) team for yet another milestone achievement in collaborating to develop the Buli Watershed Management Plan, which will guide the overall protection of a healthy watershed in Buli. Lastly, let me also thank the project donor GEF-UNDP Small Grants Programme in partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan, project partners and stakeholders in Zhemgang Dzongkhag, particularly the community of Buli and local government officials of Nangkhor Gewog for contributing to the development of the management plan. Phento Tshering Director Department of Forests and Park Services 3 | P a g e THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLANNING TEAM • Mrs. Sonam Choden, Sr. Forest Officer – Lead Planner, WMD • Ms. Kuenzang Om, Agriculture Officer, WMD • Dr. Don Gilmour, Australian Volunteer, WMD • Ms. Rinchen Wangmo, Program Director, RSPN • Mr. Kinga Wangdi, Chief, CSLD, RSPN • Mr. Phurpa Dorji, Dy. Chief Program Officer, RSPN • Mr. Narayan Ghalley, Project Officer – Lead Planner, RSPN OTHER CONTRIBUTORS • Dr. Kinley Tenzin, Executive Director, RSPN • Dr. Pema Wangdi, CFO, WMD • Mr. Tshering Phuntsho, National Coordinator, GEF-UNDP Small Grants Programme • Mrs. Rebecca Pradhan, Sr. Ecologist, RSPN • Mr. Dorji Wangchuk, Gup, Nangkhor Gewog, Zhemgang Dzongkhag • Mr. Jambay, Offtg. Environmental Officer, Zhemgang Dzongkhag • Mr. Kinley, Ranger, Buli Divisional Office • Mr. Kinley, Chiwog Tshogpa, Nangkor Gewog, Zhemgang Dzongkhag • Mr. Kinley Dem, Sr. Forest Ranger, WMD 4 | P a g e ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This management plan document is a result of the effort and support of various partners, stakeholders and individuals. The plan would not have materialized without the wholehearted support of the relevant organization and persons who were involved in the process of developing it. The board, management, staff and members of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), humbly extend our appreciation to our partner, the Watershed Management Division (WMD) of the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) for rendering their technical support during the course of the project and especially for supporting in the development and finalization of the management plan. We want to also extend our appreciation and gratitude to the Dzongkhag administration of Zhemgang, Nangkor Gewog Administration, gewog RNR sector, Zhemgang Forest Territorial Division and the community for their participation and partnership. Lastly, we extend our gratitude to GEF-UNDP Small Grants Programme in partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan for the financial support and we would keep our pledge to continue working toward achieving the goal of environmental conservation in the country. Thank you, Tashi Delek 5 | P a g e ACRONYMS BC Biological Corridor BDBL Bhutan Development Bank Limited BTFEC Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation BEMC Buli Environment Management Committee CF Community Forest CSOA Civil Society Organizations Authority CIC Community Information Centre DoFPS Department of Forests and Park Services ECCD Early Childhood Care and Development FMU Forest Management Unit FNCA Forest And Nature Conservation Act FP Forest Policy 2011 JSWNP Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park LA Land Act LFA Logical Framework Analysis MOAF Ministry of Agriculture and Forests NCD Nature Conservation Division NLC National Land Commission PNP Phrumsengla National Park RNR Renewable Natural Resources RMNP Royal Manas National Park RSPN Royal Society for Protection of Nature SGP Small Grants Programme (UNDP) WA Water Act 2011 WMA Waste Management Act 2009 WMD Watershed Management Division WP Water Policy 2003 WR Water Regulation 2014 6 | P a g e Contents FOREWORD................................................................................................................................. 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... 5 ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................................. 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... 9 1 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................. 10 1.1 Context .................................................................................................................. 10 1.2 Rationale ............................................................................................................... 10 1.3 Purpose of the Buli Watershed Management Plan ............................................... 10 2 Description of Watershed Area .......................................................................................... 11 2.1 Location and Physical features ............................................................................. 11 2.2 Climate .................................................................................................................. 12 2.3 Land Use and Land Cover .................................................................................... 13 2.4 Floristic Diversity ................................................................................................. 14 2.5 Faunal Diversity .................................................................................................... 14 2.6 Watershed Hydrology ........................................................................................... 15 2.6.1 Water Quality ........................................................................................................ 15 2.6.2 Wetlands ............................................................................................................... 15 2.7 Socio-Economic Status ......................................................................................... 16 2.7.1 Population and Settlement .................................................................................... 16 2.7.2 Livelihood Practices ............................................................................................. 17 2.7.3 Use of Water Resources ........................................................................................ 18 2.7.4 Cultural and Historical Values .............................................................................. 19 2.7.5 Public Amenities ................................................................................................... 20 3 SITUATION ANALYSIS .................................................................................................... 20 3.1 Policies, Rules and Regulations ...........................................................................